Altrincham have reinforced their attacking options with a double signing but suffered a significant setback after losing vice-captain Toby Mullarkey to League Two Rochdale just a couple of hours before the transfer window shut on Tuesday night.

Alty are looking in better shape from an attacking perspective after landing highly-rated Coventry City prospect Danny Cashman on loan until the end of the season and signing versatile Fleetwood Town forward Junior Quitirna for the next month.

Both are in contention for Saturday’s home match with title favourites Wrexham, screened live on BT Sport and kicking off at 5.20pm, with 22-year old Cashman earmarked for the number-10 role and Quitirna offering versatility as a winger who can also operate up front.

The arrival of Cashman is particularly timely after Chris Conn-Clarke was recalled by Fleetwood at the end of a spectacularly-successful loan spell in the number-10 position for Alty.

Robins bosses did their utmost to persuade Fleetwood to let them keep Conn-Clarke, either on a permanent deal or extended loan, but the League One club flatly refused and insisted he return to Highbury Stadium.

Their stance was followed by an even bigger blow for the Robins, as long-running speculation about Football League clubs tracking Mullarkey ended with League Two strugglers Rochdale snapping him up for an undisclosed fee with just a couple of hours to spare on deadline day.

Signed from Nantwich Town nearly four years ago, the Crewe Alexandra academy graduate developed into one of the most accomplished defenders in the National League and attracted approaches from clubs as high as League One last summer.

Alty managed to rebuff them and persuade him to stay, appointing him vice-captain in the process, but when he made it clear he wanted to test himself at League level, the Robins reluctantly accepted Rochdale’s offer and sanctioned his move to Spotland.

Alty suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Boreham Wood on Saturday but booked their place in the semi-finals of the Cheshire Senior Cup with a penalty shootout win against Vauxhall Motors on Tuesday night.